Chicago Cubs' Jason Heyward, left, slides into home plate past Chicago White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal (24) on a two-RBI double off the bat of teammate Victor Caratini during the second inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, in Chicago.  Jeff Haynes | Associated Press
MLB

Monday MLB Best Bets: Eckel picks HR hitters, Marlins vs Nationals, Cubs vs Tigers, and Angels vs Astros

First pitch: Miami Marlins vs. Washington Nationals at 6:05 p.m., Chicago Cubs at Detroit Tigers vs. 7:10 p.m., and Los Angeles Angels vs. Houston Astros at 9:10 p.m.

Mark Eckel

I think I’m just going to ignore Sunday baseball the rest of the season.

Sundays are for football and NASCAR and family dinners, not baseball at least not for me.

Monday is different. And we have some winners for you right here.

Miami Marlins at Washington Nationals, 6:05 p.m.

Pitchers: Pablo Lopez vs. Austin Voth

Odds: Marlins +107; Nats -117


Chicago Cubs at Detroit Tigers, 7:10 p.m.

Pitchers: Alec Mills vs. Casey Mize

Odds: Cubs -145; Tigers +155


Los Angeles Angels vs. Houston Astros, 9:10 p.m.

Pitchers: Patrick Sandoval vs. Framber Valdez

Odds: Angels +145; Astros -155


THE CYCLE

Single: The better-than-expected Marlins and disappointing Nats finish a 5-game series Monday that is 2-2 thus far. Lopez (0-2, 8.57 ERA) has been a weak spot for Don Mattingly’s club, while Voth has pitched better of late and was good in his only start against Miami. Take the Cats.

Double: Casey Mize, the Tigers prize prospect out of Auburn, makes his home debut. He wasn’t bad in his MLB debut with seven strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings against the hard-hitting White Sox. He gets the other Chicago team Monday and the Cubs have been slumping. After a 13-3 start, they are 4-7 in the last 11 games. Take the Tigers and the odds.

Triple: Valdez has been really good for the Astros this season with an ERA of 1.72. You can’t say the same about Sandoval (0-3, 5.40) for the Angels. Take the Astros.

Home Run: Since we like Washington and Houston we’ll look for Juan Soto and George Springer to homer Monday night.

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